Is it permitted to move away from the car when the engine is running?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
A. No.
Explanation
In the photo a woman is standing by the open driver's door of a dark car in a car park; the question makes it clear that the engine is running. Moving away from the vehicle while its engine is running is prohibited - answer A. Neither keeping the car in your field of view (B) nor being away for only a short time (C) makes it acceptable - the rule does not provide for such exceptions.
The Road Traffic Act prohibits the driver from moving away from the vehicle while the engine is running, and also from leaving the engine running while parking in a built-up area. A car with a running engine can move off by itself if the gear or the parking brake does not hold, it is easy prey for a thief, and the exhaust fumes poison the surroundings. Before you walk away, even for a moment, you switch off the engine, apply the parking brake, take the key and lock the doors; warming up the inside of the car in winter while parked with the engine running in a town is also a petty offence.
Legal basis: Art. 60 para. 2 point 1 and 3 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)